Month: July 2010

MBA schools are notoriously tough to get into. Competition for top-tier schools is very fierce with top students from the schools being fought over by elite companies. When looking at acceptance rates, it often can hover around 15% for most schools with some schools falling at even lower rates. One way to stand out is a letter of recommendation and this article will explain the keys to that letter in seven simple steps.

The firs step in the process is to define who you are looking for as a recommender. Most MBA schools will want at least one letter from a supervisor at your current place of employment. Other letters of recommendation can be written by past supervisors, academic professors depending how long you have been out of school or supervisors with an indirect relationship. These letters should speak specifically about your strengths and merits. You want people with good writing skills as a poorly written letter reflects negatively upon you.

The second step is to give sufficient time for your recommenders. Most people will apply to a handful of different schools and this means there is a handful of different deadlines. Organizing this information for your recommender along with giving at least one month of prep time to write will allow for the chance of a strong letter to be written.

The third step is to communicate what you are looking. This goes back to the deadlines along with specific forms some schools may require to be filled out.

The fourth step is to develop a list of what you have accomplished at each position you have been in. This list will be specific for each particular recommender so that he or she has information to go off of and you can further spotlight what you are looking for. These examples should prove how you positively affected the business and what kinds of positive traits you exhibited.

The fifth step is to create a structure with which your recommender can use to write the aforementioned letter. This structure works in creating a consistency through all your materials so that whoever is reading your information can best understand you. This letter should mention specific examples of what you have done and present you in the best way possible.

The sixth step is to get out of the way to let the recommenders write. If your recommenders are stuck, you may offer assistance in the form of a third party to help with the creation of the letter. This should not be done if possible but some recommenders may ask you to write the letter for them. If this happens, give the recommender a chance to read the letter before sending it off.

Finally, be consistent and on top of the process. A month can move quickly so checking in weekly can keep the recommender or you from being overwhelmed with the process.

It can take a great deal of time to follow up and work on letters of recommendation. In the end, you are looking for ways to positively spotlight yourself and this is far better than simply providing grades and a GMAT score.

The college is asking for both. Why do they need an unofficial if they will have an official sent to them? What’s the deal there?

There is common saying that goes..”The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet.” The roots in our country is the system. Being the world’s largest democracy the educated youth of the country has had to pay the price. The price being to forgo their entry into professional colleges, thanks to the quota system. In some states with quotas upto 70% of the seats the youth belonging to the so called “upper castes” do not find a place in Government colleges/institutions.

 

 

This gave rise to the opening up private educational institutions across India.

 

Private Educational Institutions in India could be classified into the following categories:
(a) Aided Colleges these are colleges that are privately managed but aided by the government.

(b)Unaided colleges these are colleges that are privately managed and also raise their own funds.

 

Professional colleges across India have sprung up in such large numbers making it into an industry of sorts. We are calling this “Industry” because of the employment and the revenues that these institutions generate.

 

 

 

Private spending on education in India in $US

 

Schooling (tuition fee, tutoring, textbooks, preschool etc.)

29413 million

Professional Courses (engineering, medical, MBA)

7054 million

Test Preparation (engineering, UPSC, medical test prep, GRE/GMAT etc.)

1664 million

Skill development (vocational training, child skill enhancement for mental arithmetic etc. IT training, teacher training etc….)

2436 million

Estimated total market size in private sector

40,565 million

 

 

There are institutions often funded by rich individuals or even by organizations. The market for these private institutions has survived and indeed blooming by the day although new colleges come across high legal barriers to enter.

 

Many of these institutions cannot confer degrees on their students unless they meet set guidelines that have been set by the government body the AICTE and the UGC. This growth can be attributed to the phenomenal growth of the IT industry the country has witnessed. As a country we also have to use the huge educated population to our advantage.

 

 

Today, four out of five engineering students attend private colleges, even though those institutions charge five to 10 times more in tuition than government colleges. The private schools also demand an upfront entry or “capitation” fee in a range of anything between 20 lakhs to 50 lakhs—which is in many cases a small fortune for middle-class families. One has to remember that the returns on these investments are also high.

 

The Planning Commission reports that in the period 2002-2007, the share of private institutions in higher education increased from a third to over half of all enrolment. And this trend, by all accounts, will continue into the future. Engineering, Medical and Management are the favorite streams for most of these private institutions. Over sixty percent of private engineering and medical colleges are located in the 4 southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. These states account for 25 % of the population but house more than half of the number of engineering and medical colleges. The central government too encourages these private institutions as it takes the pressure off its own self and ensures availability of skilled manpower, the main requirement for a growing economy.

 

 

Another measure adopted by the government to ensure students are able to pay the high fees is by persuading Public Sector banks in providing education loans to the students. The student loan disbursement of Public sector banks stood at a whopping Rs. 20,000 crores till the end of the financial year 2007-08.

 

The education market is leaning on the back of the workforce proving itself equal to their counterparts elsewhere in the world in productivity. The Indian workforce is the much sought after lot by global giants across the world. Hence it is safe to say that the education system and the industry behind this workforce is witnessing a boom time.

 

 India’s youth, often referred to as its demographic dividend, accounts for over 50 per cent of its total population, with 367 universities and 18,000 colleges with half-a-million teachers and about 11 million students on the rolls. As mentioned earlier as a country we must use this demographic dividend to our advantage. In the last five years there are about 1,500 management colleges, close to about 3,500 engineering colleges and about 1,200 medical colleges.Besides these private engineering and medical colleges the state has also witnessed investments from private equity players in the education segment.

Below are mentioned a few of such ventures:

 

India-focused PE firm Gaja Capital Partners invested 8.25 million dollars in Career Launcher. SAIF Partners invested 10 million dollars in the English training academy Veta and ICA Infotech. Some of the other listed companies in the education segment are Educomp Solutions, which posted a return of 374 per cent. Everonn Systems, which got listed in August 2007, gave a return of 130 per cent in just five months. The older names like Aptech and NIIT, fetched returns of 162 per cent and 124 per cent in 2007. This market also runs into crores of rupees.

 

It is believed that based on the current and future manpower requirements of the various sectors, there is a huge demand-supply gap in the education space. The education sector has opened up to brand new areas and subjects. Whoever thought of taking up courses like graghic designing or retail management and going on to make a successful career out of it. This has attracted many players to invest in education and training institutions.

 

In conclusion:

 

Although the primary education scenario in the country is not very glossy one can paint a very rosy picture of higher education in the country. One can only hope for that much concern in  primary education which still remains very illusive for many.

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Accouting vs. Finance vs. Economics?
What are between differences between them? What does one need for each one? Which one have better pays? Accounting or finance positions?

Actual Invoice over Estimate: What To Do?
So, I sent a client–pre-job–an estimate. At the bottom, the estimate says, “This estimate does not include billing for revisions.” I thought that was pretty clear; apparently it wasn’t. The final bill I submitted–with actual hours and timesheet–was more than the estimate by just about a third. This final bill included revisions. The client is now questioning the bill and balking; I comped several hours (almost 20!) during the project already, as I feel that overage was my responsibility; now I don’t quality like I should back down stale of the final invoice. Any advice? Since the estimate was of late that–an estimate–and it did include a disclaimer for overage… shouldn’t it be their responsibility to pay?

Actuary Exam Prep?
Hi, I’m a sophomore college student who wants to be an actuary. I want to pass at lowest possible 2 exams before graduate. I haven’t taken economics and took cal 1,2 linear algebra and intro to statistics. I’m taking Differential Equation currently. Could I start prepare Actuary Exam? Does it require lots of probability knowledgement for first or second exam? I might start preparing from next spring(second semester of sophomore). How long does it usually transport for normal math major college student to finish up 2 exams? I know it will depend on entity to person.. just wanna know. I’m ok near math. Problem is I only took intro to stat. How you think?

Actuary exams?
My husband is going to take the first exam this week. If he passes* will he start getting job offer? He is going to hopefully have 2-3 exams done before he former students from college. * He is getting an A in his financial math class, so I think he will endorse.

Actuary Profession rquirements contained by Canada?
Hi, I am currently doing 3 years BSc Degree in Math from Mcmaster University (Canada)… Currently i am taking all courses that allows me to study for Actuary Exams (including Actuarial Mathematics, Calc, Algebra, Economics etc..) I be wondering can i still choose Actuary profession even though i am not doing 4 years degree , its just 3 years Bachelors level. Or does it have to be 4 years Degree ? Plannig to stay another year and do second degree within Economics

Addition to “How do I operate next to a push at work?”?
I work with a psychotic girl, she is making me want to quit my job. My boss considered necessary me to work on a project that she wanted to do. So she talked to the boss and he denied her and granted me the project (reason unknown). Afterwards she be really upset and said she would just get over it. Thought it be over but the next day while the boss be out, she went off on me and said that I took it from her and needed me to tell him that I didn’t want to do it. Crazy right, well the weekend have passed and she is still a problem. Oh, she also had a hissy fit with the boss and I have to move to the back office (we shared an office) not fair-minded she should be the one to move. The boss said it would just be easier for me to, because she may cause more problems. This is going to exact me to have a nervous break down!

Addl. Courses to be pursued – Presently working contained by AMC (Mutual Funds) as Client Service/Operations incharge?
I am working with a renowned Asset management (Mutual Fund) Company as an Client Service/Operation Incharge. I enjoy already done my MBA in Finance from a full time management conservatory. That MBA School is not that reputed but i completed it from there. I have close to 3.8 yrs of experience. All previously near the Banking industry on the retail branch banking side. But i plan to settle down with this unmarked industry for a very long time. I want some advice as to which distant erudition course should i do and from where so that i can excel in this industry. Going forward my target is to take into the Risk Management Department. Please guide if you can. Thanks, Vijay

Adjusting entries. acrrual spring?
a company has 15 employees who earn a total of 1960 surrounded by salaries each working daylight. they are paid on each monday for their work contained by the previous 5 days workweek ending on the previous friday. assume that the 31 december, 2006 is a tuesday and all 15 workforce worked the first two days of the week. they will be paid a full five days salaries on monday january 6, 2007. because contemporary year is a paid holiday. prepare a journal entrie to transcript the first subsequent cash transaction in 2007.

Admission to Wharton Business School?
I am a junior studying economics (minor finance) at a top 50 university (Syracuse). I am a member of several organizations next to a 3.5 gpa. I will probably work for 4-5 years after I graduate as a financial analyst in NYC, then apply. Assuming I capture several years of work experience under my belt (I already have a “top 10 internship”), what are my believable chances at getting into this school? Are B-school admission more based on undergraduate work, work/life experience or GMAT scores?

ADP Totalpay Cardholders!?
Incase you don’t know what this is, it’s a direct deposit card that companies will use instead of paper checks or depositing it straight into your account. It’s resembling a giftcard that they load up every payday. Does anyone else use this crap?! They charge me to do EVERYTHING and steal my hard earn money! The ATM already charges me $3 to take my money out, then they hit me beside another $1.50 because I even used an ATM! Even if I just want to check my balance from an ATM, they charge me ANOTHER $1.50! Why do companies insist on these cards?

Advertising agencies within Singapore?
I am looking for a directory listing of advertising agencies surrounded by Singapore. Is there any available online with their contact information? Specifically, I am looking to work surrounded by Singapore and want this information to send my resume.

Advertising agency interview sound out?
Hey guys, I just got a give the name back for an interview at an advertising agency. It is an intern position contained by Media department, can anyone tell me what to expect from the interviewer ? what kind of examine they are going to ask me ? does anybody has any previous experience in this grazing land ? Right now i have definitely no clue on what to expect. thank you guysss~~ i would be really appreciated if you guys can help me out here

Advice for a college student on how to obtain into Investment bank?
i would like to work for a top IB firm out of college like GS, any suggestion on what i should during my four years. have just completed my first year next to over a 3.9 and at a top 20 b-school already. what should i do during summers? didnt get an internship this summer, however found a good sale job. what else can i do to increase chances of getting into IB

Advice for an up and coming marketing guru?
I’m in college, and I’m not a partier or stereotypical, I have a 4.0 and a suitable work ethic. What can I do to further showcase my abilities? I’m joining AMA, AdFed, what else can I do?

Advice for Career Path within Financial Banking?
I have been offered a employment as a wire transfer clerk at a unusual and up and coming bank and was wondering if I should nick this job? What career path can it lead to and also how much should I be expecting to make (salary) surrounded by the next 2-5 years? Also, what higher form of childhood should i pursue in order to be successful surrounded by this field? Any advice or abet would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Advice needed on finding full-time job?
Hi, everyone. Since I graduated this May with BBA (Bachelor’s surrounded by Business Administration), I have been looking for job in NYC and nearby areas. I applied to a bunch of job through online jobsites like Monster.com but to my surprise, I still can’t secure full-time job. I have been to few interviews but still no volunteer yet. Right now, I am dying to budge back to workforce because I hate sitting surrounded by my home applying to jobs day within day out. Job searching have been pretty boring experience. Some people read out the economy is not good for recent college former students but I hoped I could find some kind of full-time job by immediately in my field. Does anyone own any advice on what I should in this situation? Should I contact temp agency and stir for 2 or 3 months temp positions instead? I really can’t wait to go final to work again. Thanks in advance for any insights.

Advice on Financial support and benefits
Im 19, in full time education . I hold searched for work and been rejected by no smaller quantity than 20 different stores and retail outlets. I think its because of my age and the fact I am looking for my first fulltime/Part time opportunity. I want to work ANYWHERE doing ANYTHING. Id prefer night work stacking selves, cleaning whatever…but nought is happening for me. It doesnt help my parents are out adjectives day working and I am in charge of my siblings and kind for my pretty much bedridden grandmother, ( i do not begrudge her one bit and will not use this as an excuse for not working – this a short time ago takes up alot of my time hence looking for nightwork and partime places for the summer) My savings own completely run out, I used to get EMA schooling support as Im from a low income family, I am desperate for some money to support myself so that I dont enjoy to ask my parents for money for such basics as sanitary towels. Id like to know from anyone, what finacial support nearby is out there for me in my situation? How do I claim this support? Do I own to pay it back? Is in that anyplace I could get work to support myself in mycourse?

Advice on Office Chairs?
Office Chairs: I am looking good chair that is to say comfortable to sit in, will not hurt my back, glib to roll across my desk area. I have sit in the Herman Miller chair and really resembling them..don’t think my boss will go for the $800+ price marker on it though. My desk is kind of low so my arm rest right now type of get in the opening. I do have to hump over a bit to type. Does anyone have any suggestion to share? Sincerely, C

Advice please..?
Im long term unemployed and running out of philosophy fast. I have exp surrounded by santa photos, a bio lab, photo lab and now abit of work voluteer work looking after plants. I dont know what kind of job to apply for anymore. I dont do well in retail but if you dont own experience in other areas it makes it intricate to find work. Those on Y!a with easy, no stress sort of job what are they and how did you find them. Thanks…

Advice pls!?
I’v been working on this job for a month presently. I don’t like it nor hate it. for me as a foreigner, this commission is not quite good. but near is one problem, I don’t know what to talk with my colleagues, we are adjectives girls but i find it hard to chat with them. They are amazingly bubbly always talking and chatting , but i only do not know what to say. when they chat, i just listen and smile. they must devise i am boring. so sad. I am actually not approaching that. Please give me some ideas?

Advice required:What job don’t really require reference?All I can feel of is McDonald’s!?
The reason is,that I need a work quick-a proper job,NOT a MLM scam or anything like that.

Advice Wanted Urgently?
Hi frnds…pls i need ur advice. i am a computer professional next to 7 yrs of experience. now i want to change my mover in Human Resource Management. I have just this minute completed my MBA in HR. my marraige is also due and it is being delayed because of me. as me n my husband wishes to settle abroad. i left my living and came here to usa for a visit and to apply to job, bt unfortunately i got delayed contained by applying for H1 visa and it can now be applied only subsequent year..but i dont want to wait till one year for marraige. can anyone of you suggest any legal bearing that i can stay here in usa, do some studies and find a job side y side.can u pls advocate me anything how can i go about it.pls pls pls

Advise on how to find a contemporary work!?
I used to work on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, I have my Series 7,63 & 55 securities licenses, right immediately I am working as a consultant (and hate it)…I have a wife and kids so cant a moment ago sit home, however my current job stinks, I am making OK money but am paying in full for my form benefits each month ( for the 4 of us my wife’s job doesnt donate benefits and it is over 1k a month) and really am not doing what I want to be doing… Any advise on how to find a new living within the financial industry?

After 1-2 years within AR/AP, what company & position should I pursue surrounded by Accounting?
I’m looking to pursue a career in accounting, (currently enjoy 1-2 years in AR/AP) and I’m considering my next best move to credit. Also I’m considering going back to school for my MS contained by Accounting

After appearing surrounded by a duty interview, should the aspirant write a thank email to the interviewer?
– Interview result is not compiled yet. – Which point to take vigilance of while writing such a letter?

After doing Post Graduate Diploma contained by Financial Planning and Wealth Management, will i procure gud profession.?
in june me going to do my bba. now i m exceedingly scared what to do. so i decided to do this diploma course. immediately problem is that will i get good charge after that with handsome salary

After evaluating respectively hand you find that the results be not as stellar as you would hold like. For a re
After evaluating each employee you find that the results be not as stellar as you would have liked. For a result base appraisal, how do you go about varying the behavior of an employee to get the desired result?

After file for laying-off and man approved how long does it to bear to carry the debit card?
I live in Indiana.

After how much time would it be advisable to contact the company after sending them the CV?
Or, I should wait for them to decide if they’ll invite me to the interview?

After the 1st interview, and I be extended the submit, Iwas asked to going the department to riddle out broadsheet work,?
What will be he proper attier?

More Financial Services Job questions please visit : JobQnA.com

It has been 30 years since I was a high school senior, but I had to take the SATs just as 11th and 12th graders do now. I did okay, but not good enough to get into my two first choice schools. Back then, I blamed the SATs and called them unfair, but life went on. I graduated happily in four years from the school I chose.

I am no better qualified to evaluate the validity of the SAT today than I was in high school, but I know that the test is still a fact of life. I also learned that students who performed at a high level in all college-prep subjects usually scored high on the SATs. That is a very small segment of a high school graduating class; it is the people at the very top. Most of us had difficulty with a subject or two. Sciences were my weak point in high school and I avoided them in college.

The people who did the best on these tests were well read, studied Latin and also achieved excellence in math. I took four years of math, through pre-calculus; I was doing math problems every day at school, so I was adequately prepared for SAT math. However, I was not the reader I am today, nor did I have a large vocabulary, so my verbal scores were not so hot. When I got to college, I met someone who had scored over 700 on the verbal portions of the test. “The SAT vocabulary was easy,” he said, “if you knew Latin roots.” He had three years of Catholic school Latin under his belt, so his education gave him an advantage. I will not call that an unfair advantage; he still had to remember all those roots for the test.

I got a better understanding of reading comprehension, an important part of the SAT, when I took my GMATs for business school. My Princeton Review tutor warned us non-scientists about the science essays on the exam; she pointed to the “caffeine passage from hell,” an essay on the chemical composition of coffee, to make her point. If you had done poorly in chemistry, your eyes would glaze over that essay and you were likely to get the questions wrong. If you did well in the sciences, and understood the passage, you could get those questions right.

What is my point? The best students, the ones who do well in every subject, should have little to fear from the SATs. They should score well enough to get into an excellent school. Especially if they are well read, do math every day and bone up on their Latin, if they have the chance. That will land an applicant in all but the most selective schools, where admissions officers must split fine hairs to make a decision-and that decision is likely to be based on something other than SATs.

Fairtest.org, a non-profit education advocacy group, reported that 704 U.S. colleges and universities do not require the SAT for admissions purposes. However, the same organization reports that some schools still use the test results to evaluate applicants who do not meet their minimum criteria for class rank and grade point average; this includes flagship state universities such as the University of Texas-Austin (except engineering), the University of Iowa and the University of Oregon. In addition, some SAT-optional schools still use the SAT to place students into freshman-level courses. It’s wise to get specifics from the schools of interest to you before deciding to avoid the test.

Who benefits from an SAT optional policy at a competitive four-year college? The students with good to excellent grades in college-prep subjects, who are also exceptional or passionate, about an academic subject or a creative pursuit. Such talents can be demonstrated in the application packet, recommendations, a portfolio, or interviews, but not on the SATs.

The SAT optional policy makes admissions more competitive, because it will attract larger numbers of qualified applicants. Every competitive college wants their fair share of artists, performers, activists, scientists, and even athletes in their entering class; some are willing to deemphasize standardized tests to get them. While an SAT optional policy will lessen the likelihood an applicant is rejected because of test scores, the applicant must be exceptional in some other way to compensate.

If you want to take a shot at an SAT optional school, and you have to contend with SAT scores below the school’s average, take the time and attention to prepare an exceptional application that stands out from the crowd, and show that each school is your first choice.

The line of applicants to SAT optional selective schools and flagship universities will be getting longer every year. It will be harder to stand out in a larger applicant pool.

Ask most college students if they have experienced hypnosis, and they’ll tell you about a hypnosis show they saw in high school or college. It was funny, and intriguing, but they haven’t thought about it since.

Yet hypnosis can give students far more than entertainment. Some know this personally. They’re just not saying much about it.

In fact, you may be surprised to learn that among top students who want to get the most from their studies, many have recognized hypnosis as one of the most effective secondary study aids available. If you have students in your own household, hypnosis can do more for their success than you or they might have expected.

Hypnosis can:

- Double, triple, or even quadruple understanding and retention of subject matter
- Make studying faster and easier
- Dial down anxiousness during exams, and while studying, supercharging their success
- Enhance test-taking skills, essay writing, attention span, and much more
- Increase confidence in delivering oral reports or speeches and defending theses
- Help develop leadership potential
- Improve athletic ability
- Boost confidence in most areas of student life, including social aspects
- Increase desire to further one’s education and career aspirations
- Decrease self doubt and improve future outlook
- And these are just the beginning. Because once a student is familiar and comfortable with hypnosis, he or she will naturally think up new ways it can help.

(In fact, we are discovering new possibilities all the time.)

Does any of this sound like something you, or the student in your life, could use? Please realize the above list is not exhaustive; there are likely more areas amenable to the assistance of hypnosis that I have neglected to include.

As you read on, and think of others you’d like to suggest, or inquire about, and feel free to write me; contact information can be found in the author box.

Here is more about how hypnosis can impact education at almost any age:

- Self Hypnosis for High School, College, and Grad Students

I was certified in hypnosis more than 10 years ago, but it was only when I co-taught a creativity class with a colleague at a college that I discovered what hypnosis can do for higher-education.

On that day, upon my co-lecturer’s urging, I hypnotized everyone in the class who chose the experience, for improved performance in studies, and greater ease in test taking.

Although the hypnosis itself was the real excitement that day, later conversations with students revealed that they were experiencing less stress, better memory of their subject matter, and a greater sense of well being.

After that, although I no longer taught regularly, I started coming in once a semester to talk about and deliver hypnosis to those interested. The instructor tells me it is the most highly-anticipated and best-attended class session every semester.

- Self Hypnosis for Ongoing Support As Needed

You may be interested to know that a student over 12, all the way up to graduate school and beyond, can also be taught to hypnotize him or herself on a regular or as-needed basis any time a need arises.

Naturally, if self-hypnosis is used to study more efficiently or develop better recall, it’s easy to see the power it and bring to any student’s education.

But even a brief, generic self-hypnosis session can have health benefits and an ongoing influence on self trust and emotional balance.

And any student who is seeing a mental-health professional can empower his therapy himself: if he will simply capture the positive self-talk his counselor recommends and use it in his next self-hypnosis session.

- Hypnosis as New Tool For Education

In my private practice, more parents are understanding the value of hypnosis in education, and marveling at what self-hypnosis can do for their college student.

As one parent said, “Do you know what it used to be like in this house the night before a final? Now, the night before the test, she hypnotizes herself for ten minutes and she’s asleep the minute her head hits the pillow, and she doesn’t wake up till morning.”

The result: a clearer mind and more confidence the next day.

Do students also recognize the possibilities? It’s my experience as a practitioner that when students are simply directed toward the information-like this article and others about hypnosis-they quickly develop interest in the subject as it is inherently interesting to young people.

As a parent, it is important not to force it on them, however, or to connect it with current poor performance. Rather, it should be strictly voluntary and offered as a possibility, useful and fun.

Frankly, a student who learns self hypnosis goes beyond improving poor performance. She is a step ahead in taking responsibility for her performance, her future, and her ability to achieve precisely what she desires.

How relaxing for the parent to let go of worry, force, and nagging, and watch his child take her future into her own hands-and succeed!

It is my experience, incidentally, that the best students are the ones most eager to learn self-hypnosis because they want to take their abilities even further, and do so without added stress.

- Hypnosis for Those Returning To School Years Later

After graduation-whether high school or college-many adults thought they had seen the end of classrooms and papers. But many find themselves returning to school years later, whether for a graduate or post-graduate degree, or a certificate program needed for their field.

If you are among them, do find yourself feeling unsure about your study skills? Or intimidated by younger classmates with better memories or simply more time to study?

Hypnosis can help with all of that, including the confidence that you’ll want to supercharge your progress.

- Finally, the Question Of Unfairness

Until now, I have been begging the question this article poses: Is the use of hypnosis in education an unfair advantage for the students using it?

Well, let’s consider that:

Is getting a tutor’s help unfair because not everyone is willing or able to do the same?

What about a coach helping your child, after school and on your dime, in her athletic pursuits?

Are prep courses unfair-for SATs, GREs, GMATs, etc.?

Or getting extra help from an instructor after class?

Is participating in a study group unfair? What if it’s run by a professional?

And how about simply choosing to join with the smartest group of people studying for a particular exam?

I would argue that hypnosis to empower education is both practically and morally akin to these others.

Yes, hypnosis is acutely effective at focusing the abilities of the subconscious mind on the subject matter, maximizing every moment of study time, and often producing greater, longer-lasting results. But the intention of creating an advantage via time, effort, and money is equivalent to that of prep courses and tutorials.

When you give your child (or yourself) an advantage that will improve her abilities, her standing, and ultimately benefit the lives of those who will reap the advantages of contact with her, is there is real reason to feel guilty? ©2008 by Wendy Lapidus-Saltz. All rights reserved.

This is a series on management exams – and will help aspirants understand the nature of tests like CAT, XAT, FMS Entrance Test, SNAP, JMET, University-based exams etc, and do better. 

Now that you have decided to get an MBA qualification, get ready to ace the first hurdle – the all-important written entrance test. A good score in written test goes a long way in ensuring that you get a seat in a good institution, say experts. 

Key entrance exams include Common Admission Test (CAT), XLRI Admission test (XAT), Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), Common Entrance Test (CET). 

Besides these exams, universities and some institutes have their own entrance tests. University-based entrances include Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GCET), Orissa Management Admission Test (OMAT), UPMCAT (U.P. Management & MCA Combined Admission Test), Common Aptitude Test Karnataka and so on. 

There are some institute-specific exams like IIFT Admission Test (IIFT), FMS Admission Test (FMS), Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), ICFAI Business School Admission Test (IBSAT), Amity Common Admission Test (AMCAT), etc. 

Let’s focus first on CAT.

Common Aptitude Test (CAT)

Among all the management exams CAT is considered to be the toughest nut to crack. Good performance is CAT ensures good chances in the seven IIMs and over a hundred other institutes. CAT held every year on the third Sunday of November.

What is CAT?

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to gain admission into India’s leading B-school brand IIM. CAT is an entrance test conducted jointly by the seven IIMs: IIM Ahmedbad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Shillong.

Historically, CAT has been a multiple-choice written exam designed to test a candidate’s ability and aptitude, within a time frame. Its unique feature was its unpredictability. It had 4 distinctive sections — Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation (DI), Reading Comprehension (RC) & Verbal Ability (VA) – but the actual paper need not have any preset pattern. The pattern changes every year. One year, you may be tested on three sections; other times, it could be four. In 2006, for instance, the CAT question paper comprised of 75 questions with 5 choices in each question; the time limit was 150 minutes. It was divided into three sections: Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation and Reasoning, and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.

In a broader sense, CAT tests your skills on five broad areas: verbal ability and reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative skills, data interpretation, and analytical and logical reasoning.

“A committee instituted by the IIMs prepares CAT. The objective of CAT is to select a candidate who has potential to become a manager and the success of the IIMs depends on the quality of the managers that they create,” informs Mr. Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head of IMS, one of the leading test-prep companies.

Besides the seven IIMs there are more than a hundred other B-schools which look at CAT scores: institutes like Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon; International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi; S P Jain institute of Management and Research, Mumbai; Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA); Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai; T. A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal, etc.

Here are the highlights from CAT 2008:

CAT 08 was more reasoning and analysis oriented: Even in the quantitative or verbal ability questions, students had to think and use their reasoning ability – rather than just applying mathematical formula or grammar 
The test was marginally tougher than the last CAT: While there were no big surprises, the 35-page paper was lengthy and the questions were trickier. The reading comprehension passages were lengthier than last year’s CAT. 
More emphasis on language skills: Clearly CAT 2008 will be remembered for its added emphasis on testing language skills of future managers. There were 40 questions on language skills that included 20 questions on grammar and English usage and 20 questions on reading comprehension. 
Students reported that quantitative section was “tough” to which CAT experts responded that “for CAT preparation is the key.” 
IMS Learning spokesperson said, “Quant was more difficult in 2008 than 2007. It was the toughest section as it had fewer questions on arithmetic and more on higher maths-like function.”

According to the experts of Career Launcher, “Even with the best of preparations it would be really tough to score more than 120 in this paper. An ideal time allocation strategy of 40-44-60 minutes in QA-DI-VA sections could have enhanced the possibility of maximizing the score.”

PT Education felt that overall CAT 2008 can be classified as MODERATE to TOUGH.

For a detailed analysis of CAT 2008, please refer to the link below:

http://www.mbauniverse.com/admission_2009_coverage.php?id=1582

CAT 2009 – A Computer Based Test

The Common Admission Test (CAT) of the seven Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) is going to be a Computer Based Test (CBT) from year 2009.

According to information shared by IIM Bangalore, on behalf of all IIMs, the test will be conducted in a window of about ten days sometime at the end of the calendar year (2009). IIMs have selected Prometric ETS, a US-based testing company, after an elaborate search process to be their partner in delivering the computer-assisted CAT.

Says IIM Bangalore, “CBT CAT will be a candidate-friendly test in terms of flexibility in the selection of test date, ease of registration process, better physical environment and test experience, and enhanced security in terms of biometric identification of candidates and video monitoring.”

CAT Preparation: Where to start?

CAT is considered the toughest exam for B-school aspirants. Preparation is the key – but it depends on how you want to prepare: by yourself or by enrolling in a coaching center. In coaching centers you will find options like regular classes, crash courses, test series and correspondence courses. These centers don’t give you the guarantee of selection in CAT but they certainly help you.

National level coaching institutes are: Mumbai based IMS Learning Center); Hyderabad based Triumphant Institute of Management Education (T.I.M.E.); New Delhi based Career Launcher; PT Education; Pune based Career Forum. There are also other regional or city level coaching institutes.

Now the question is which is the best coaching institute in your city? To answer this, MBAUniverse.com has conducted India’s first MBA Test-Prep Institutes Ranking 09 in March. With the announcement of this comprehensive survey results, MBA aspirants across the country will now be guided by credible data and ranking which will help them to choose best institute at national level and city level. Here is the test prep institute ranking:

Rank Coaching Institutes

1 T.I.M.E. (www.time4education.com) & PT Education ( www.pteducation.com)

3 Career Launcher (www.careerlauncher.com)

4 IMS Learning (www.imsindia.com)

5 Cerebral Heights (www.ch-india.com)

6 Bulls Eye (www.hitbullseye.com)

7 Endeavor (www.endeavorcareers.com )

8 Takshzilla (www.takshzila.com)

9 Alchemist (www. alchemistindia.com)

To know the city wise test prep ranking, logon to MBAUniverse.com (www.mbauniverse.com).

How to prepare for CAT’s new avatar – CBT-CAT

MBA aspirants are asking the question how should I prepare for CAT 2009 which will be a computer-based-test? MBAUniverse.com spoke to test prep experts of four leading MBA coaching institutes on how should MBA aspirants prepare for online CAT.

Read below to know what the experts have to say:

Mr. Jaideep Singh Chowdhary, Official Spokesperson of T.I.M.E, Hyderabad told MBAUniverse.com, “The announcement should make almost no difference to the actual preparation of a serious CAT aspirant. The basic curriculum will not require any significant change since the basic inputs required to clear the exam are unlikely to change. Remember – the change is in form, not in substance and offering.”

Talking about the changes to CAT as a result of this move, Mr. Nilesh Sarawate, Director, IMS Learning said: “The core purpose of the CAT cannot change which is to test the candidate’s verbal, logical, quantitative and data interpretative abilities. The only change that has happened is the mode of conduct.”

When asked how CAT aspirants should prepare for CAT 2009, Mr. Sarawate said: “The new reality is a simple reality – just the mode of the test has changed. If you can answer a question on paper, you can answer a question online. All that the student needs to do is to get acclimatized to the new test condition. Practicing a few tests online will help the students handle this. Also, since it is a relative test, if there is a problem it is a problem for all. So don’t worry.”

Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director of Academics and R&D, Career Launcher advised, “There is enough time to learn, the minimal that is required to take a test on the computer. It is not a challenge to learn how to operate the computer. It is a non issue. What would be challenging is to practice, reading and thinking while working on the computer. They definitely are different when compared to doing it on the paper.”

Mr. Gautam Puri, Vice Chairman of Career Launcher said, “We feel that the quantitative aptitude part of the CAT will remain the same but the comprehension passages, in the reading part, will become shorter. Also, the data interpretation section will become smaller. We advise the students to have a look at the GMAT papers of the last few years to have a feel of the online test.”

“As basic skill sets with quantitative & language area remain same, a student would be required to prepare in the same manner as students have been doing till now. The more familiarity with the CBT a student has more would be the comfort level on the final day. But still the preparations would have to be based on thorough understanding of basics and their applications,” said Mr. Manish Saraf, COO, PT Education.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for comprehensive coverage of CAT 2009.

To know more about MBA admissions log on to:

http://admissions.mbauniverse.com/

There are many factors to consider when figuring out how to get into the top MBA programs. Some of they key areas are detailed here:

GMAT score

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test to predict a college graduate’s likelihood of succeeding in the graduate school of business. When considering how to get into the top MBA programs, this test is the first thing an applicant generally considers. As the score of the GMAT test is of the highest significance among the criteria for admission, it is extremely important to find ways that will allow you to prepare most efficiently. It takes three to six months on average to prepare for the exam. Based on your personal preference, level of discipline and motivation, consider all options to get ready for the test, such as self study, on-line tutoring, study groups and prep courses.

Academic transcripts

An average GPA need not discourage an individual from applying to top business schools.  Those who know how to get into the top MBA programs understand there are many ways to stand out in the application process. The median GPAs reported by some top programs can be intimidating, but the GPAs of accepted students vary a great deal. Each individual needs to promote their strong points and lend support to their weaker areas. If an applicant performed well in college, you want to emphasize that performance.  If not, then perhaps highlight another area that shows the applicant in a better light.

Significant work experience

All business schools require having between two to four years of work experience in a corporate environment prior to being accepted. The quality of that experience, the level of responsibility and job performance are taken into consideration.  Anyone who has studied how to get into the top MBA programs realizes that the way an individual presents his work experience plays a huge role in whether or not he is accepted into his desired program.

Essays

Want to know how to get into the top MBA programs?  Take time to develop an effective essay. The most common and most important essay applicants are required to write is about an individual’s career goal, combined with stating why they desire a MBA. Also, included is the reason the student selected this particular institution. Structure the essay into three headings: Career Goals, Why A MBA, Why this School.

Letters of recommendation

Business is all about networking, and those who know how to get into the top MBA programs understand this. Recommendations are required from individuals who know both the applicant and the business world. This should be someone who has supervised the applicant and can provide personal insight into his or her character.

To increase chances of success when pondering how to get into the top MBA programs, consider taking additional actions such as joining a professional organization, volunteering with a non-profit organization or taking extension school courses, especially math classes related to management. These are the basic key areas. Click below to discover the real secrets.